Deodorizing system, device and methods for odor removal

Abstract

A method for deodorizing air at or near a toilet is provided. The method comprises detecting pressure on the toilet seat; directing ah from near or inside the toilet bowl through a filter at a first rate if pressure on the toilet seat is detected; detecting presence of H 2 S; directing air from near or inside the toilet bowl through the filter at a second rate if H 2 S is detected, the second rate being higher than the first rate; detecting removal of pressure from the toilet seat; and ceasing the direction of air through the filter after a predetermined period of time if no H 2 S is detected or if removal of pressure on the toilet seat is detected. A system and a device relating to the method are also provided.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for deodorizing air at or near a toilet comprising a toilet seat, a toilet tank, and a toilet bowl, the method comprises:
 detecting pressure on the toilet seat;   directing air from near or inside the toilet bowl through a filter at a first rate if pressure on the toilet seat is detected;   detecting presence of H 2 S;   directing air from near or inside the toilet bowl through the filter at a second rate if H 2 S is detected, the second rate being higher than the first rate;   detecting removal of pressure from the toilet seat; and   ceasing the direction of air through the filter after a predetermined period of time if no H 2 S is detected or if removal of pressure on the toilet seat is detected.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising converting hydraulic power from an inflow of water into the toilet tank into electrical power; and
 recharging a power source with the electrical power. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising supplying power from a backup power source if there is a lack of power in the power source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising selectively controlling water flow to the toilet tank. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising detecting the water level in the toilet tank and selectively controlling water flow to the toilet tank with respect to the detected water level. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein detecting pressure on the toilet seat is performed by a pressure sensor in communication with a controller; directing air from near or inside the toilet bowl is performed by an air filtration system in communication with the controller; and detecting the presence of H 2 S is performed by an odor sensor of the air filtration system, and the method further comprising performing a diagnostic check on at least one of: the pressure sensor, the controller, the air filtration system, and the odor sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising providing a visual indication if any one of the pressure sensor, the controller, the air filtration system, and the odor sensor is malfunctioning. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising receiving a signal to trigger the performance of the diagnostic check. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein a power source supplies power to one or more of the pressure sensor, the controller, the air filtration system, and the odor sensor, and the method further comprising performing a diagnostic check on the power source and, if the power source is malfunctioning, supplying power to one or more of the pressure sensor, the controller, the air filtration system, and the odor sensor using a backup power source. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2  wherein converting hydraulic power into electrical power is performed by a recharger and the further comprising: performing a diagnostic check on the recharger; and, if the recharger is malfunctioning, supplying power using a backup power source instead of the power source. 
     
     
         11 . A deodorizing system for operation with a toilet having a toilet seat and a water tank, the system comprising:
 a controller;   a pressure sensor for sensing pressure on the toilet seat and for communicating same to the controller via a first signal;   an air filtration system for filtering air near the toilet upon receiving the first signal from the controller; and   a power source for supplying power to the controller and the air filtration system.   
     
     
         12 . The deodorizing system of  claim 11  further comprising a recharger installable in an inlet to the water tank, the recharger for converting hydraulic power to electrical power and for supplying electrical power to the power source. 
     
     
         13 . The deodorizing system of  claim 11  wherein the power source comprises ultra-capacitors. 
     
     
         14 . The deodorizing system of  claim 12  wherein the recharger is a micro-turbine. 
     
     
         15 . The deodorizing system of  claim 11  wherein the pressure sensor is a piezoelectric sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The deodorizing system of  claim 11  wherein the filtration system comprises:
 a suction device for selectively creating negative pressure near or inside the toilet; 
 an odor sensor for detecting a level of at least one odor causing compound and/or pathogen above a threshold and for sending a second signal to the controller upon detecting same; and 
 a filter for collecting and/or removing at least some of the odor causing compound and/or pathogen, and 
 wherein the suction device creates negative pressure near or inside the toilet upon receiving a second signal from the controller and directs air through the odor sensor and the filter. 
 
     
     
         17 . The deodorizing system of  claim 16  wherein the odor causing compound and/or pathogen is H 2 S and the threshold ranges from about 0.25 ppm to about 50 ppm. 
     
     
         18 . The deodorizing system of  claim 16  wherein the filter comprises carbon and potassium permanganate. 
     
     
         19 . The deodorizing system of  claim 16  wherein the suction device is in communication with a conduit connectible to the toilet, the conduit for one or both of: (i) facilitating the suction of air from near or inside the toilet; and (ii) directing air through the odor sensor and filter. 
     
     
         20 . The deodorizing system of  claim 16  wherein the suction device is a fan. 
     
     
         21 . The deodorizing system of  claim 11  further comprising one or more of:
 a backup power source; 
 a diagnostic indicator for indicating any problems and/or malfunctioning of the system; 
 a diagnostic mode trigger in communication with the controller; 
 a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water tank and for emitting an electronic signal to the controller with respect to same; and 
 an inlet valve for selectively shutting off, releasing, and/or distributing water into the water tank. 
 
     
     
         22 . The deodorizing system of  claim 21  wherein the inlet valve is an electronically controlled solenoid valve. 
     
     
         23 . The deodorizing system of  claim 21  wherein the diagnostic mode trigger is a vibration sensor. 
     
     
         24 . The deodorizing system of  claim 21  wherein the diagnostic indicator provides visual indication. 
     
     
         25 . A device for deodorizing air at or near a toilet comprising a toilet seat, a toilet tank, and a toilet bowl, the device comprises:
 a outer housing having a perforated first end and a perforated second end;   a filter medium disposed inside and between the first and second ends of the outer housing;   a suction device disposed inside the outer housing, the suction device configured to draw air through the filter medium when in operation;   an odor sensor disposed on or inside the outer housing, the odor sensor being in communication with the controller;   a pressure sensor in communication with the controller, the pressure sensor for detecting changes in pressure on the toilet seat;   a controller disposed inside the outer housing for receiving signals from the pressure sensor and the odor sensor, and for selectively operating the suction device;   a power source electrically connected to the suction device, the controller, the odor sensor and the pressure sensor, for supplying power to same; and   a conduit assembly connected to the first end of the outer housing, for facilitating the suction of air from near or inside the toilet by the suction device and/or for directing the air through the odor sensor and the filter medium.   
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25  wherein the filter medium comprises a mixture of carbon and potassium permanganate. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 25  wherein the conduit assembly comprises:
 a coupler having an inner bore, the coupler is connected to the first end of the outer housing, the inner bore being in fluid communication with the filter medium and the suction device; 
 a lower top having an inner surface and a hole therein; and 
 an upper top having an inner surface, the upper top connected to the lower top such that the inner surfaces of the lower top and the upper top define a thin air channel therebetween, the thin air channel having a small narrow inlet, the thin air channel being in fluid communication with the inner bore of the coupler via the hole, and inlet being positionable inside or near the toilet bowl. 
 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the conduit assembly further comprising:
 a slider having a first end connected to the coupler and an arm extending from the first end; and 
 a base configured to slidably connect with the arm and to be mountable to the toilet by at least one toilet seat mounting bolt of the toilet. 
 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28  wherein the pressure sensor is installed to the base. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the lower top and upper top are pivotable at the hole about a central axial axis of the coupler. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 28  wherein the arm of the slider is pivotable about a central axial axis of the coupler. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 25  further comprising a cap connecting the first end of the outer housing to the conduit assembly, the cap having an open first end and an open second end and a bore extending therebetween, the bore for providing an air passage between the conduit assembly and the filter medium. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 25  wherein the power source is connectable to a recharger installed in a water inlet to the toilet tank, the recharger for converting hydraulic power to electrical power and for supplying electrical power to the power source. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 25  further comprising a backup power source electrically connected to the suction device, the controller, the odor sensor and the pressure sensor, for supplying power to same. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 25  wherein the controller and the power source are in communication with an inlet valve installed in an inlet to the toilet tank, and the inlet valve is controllable by the controller to selectively allow and/or restrict water flow to the toilet tank. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 25  wherein the controller and the power source are in communication with a water level sensor installed in the toilet tank, and the water level sensor is configured to detect a water level in the toilet tank and to send a signal to the controller with respect to same. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 25  further comprising a diagnostic indicator in communication with the controller and the power source. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37  wherein the diagnostic indicator is visible on the outer housing. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 25  wherein the filter medium is housed in a filter body with a perforated first end, a perforated second end, the filter body being disposed inside the outer housing with its second end near the second end of the outer housing. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39  wherein the first end of the filter body includes a perforated filter cap. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 25  wherein at least part of the device is made of a biodegradable material.